Medical center employees are hoping to pedal 3,500 miles in this year’s Corporate Cycling Challenge, but need your help to meet that goal and beat the competition.
The Corporate Cycling Challenge – Nebraska’s largest single day cycling event – is set for Sunday, Aug. 21. Participants may choose to ride 10 miles, 25 miles or 42 miles. All tours begin and end at Omaha’s Heartland of America Park, Eighth and Farnam Streets. Registration and start times are based on the cyclist’s chosen distance.
Last year, 84 medical center employees got credit for riding 2,552 mile, while 118 Union Pacific employees rode 3,485 miles to win the Corporate Cycling Challenge AAA Division. Medical center officials hope to reclaim their 2003 title when they rode more than 1,997 miles to beat the competition. In the corporate team race, employees of UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center and University Medical Associates are considered a single team.
“It’s not often that a UNMC athletic team hits the news so we’re anxious to reclaim the spotlight and title,” said Don Leuenberger, vice chancellor for business and finance and an annual participant in the event. “Not only is this a great community event, it’s a wonderful way to celebrate a healthy lifestyle and support trail development in the Omaha metropolitan area.”
“This event is a bicycle tour and not a race,” said Peter Pellerito of UNMC’s Center for Healthy Living. “Speed is not an issue and cyclists of all abilities can participate. The challenge refers to the number of miles that a company’s employee’s ride. If you can pedal a bike, you can enjoy riding in this event.”
There is no charge for employees to participate, unless they want a T-shirt ($10). The cost is $15 for non-employees who want a T-shirt and $5 for non-employees who do not want a T-shirt. Participants can register up to the day of the event, unless they want to order a T-shirt with the UNMC and hospital logo. The registration deadline is Monday, July 25 for those interested in ordering a T-shirt.
For the first time, there will be a post-ride picnic at Miller’s Landing for all medical center riders. Miller’s Landing is just north of Gallup on the Missouri River and just north of the start/finish. Individuals who ride farther than last year or recruit an employee to ride who didn’t participate last year will receive special recognition and an incentive prize. The options include: a Banjo Brothers under-seat bag, a BikeMasters water bottle and cage, a flashing safety light, a handlebar bell, or a patch kit and set of tire irons.
Contact Pellerito at 559-5253 with questions.
Click for PDF versions of the registration form and pictures of the incentive prizes.